Pudong International Airport (Shanghai): description and reviews

The city in which Pudong International Airport is located is Shanghai. Air gates have small dimensions, so there is no getting lost. However, they are quite unusual. Runways are located on both sides of two terminals, and not with one, like most hubs.

No less interesting is the history of the airport construction. It was conceived as an auxiliary to the already existing "Hongqiao", but became the main air haven of Shanghai. It is also interesting that the world's first railway line with a magnetic suspension was built here too. She connected the hub with the metropolitan metropolis.

In this article we will tell you everything about Pudong Airport. We will describe his story, and also reveal the simple secrets how to get from the air harbor to the center of Shanghai. Feedback from tourists has become our main informative base.

History

If you fly "China Estern Airlines", then the international airport "Shanghai-Pudong" will take you. But back in 1999, China's largest metropolis had other air gates. Foreign passengers (and domestic flights) took the airport "Hongqiao". It was expanded and modernized many times, until they came to the conclusion that it is necessary to demolish many blocks of urban buildings in order to satisfy the growing flow of people. Therefore, it was decided to build a new airport.

The place for him was chosen on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, in the Pudong District, which is thirty kilometers east of the center of Shanghai. The first terminal was designed by French architect Paul André. Judging by the feedback of passengers, the exterior design resembles two sea waves. The first flight "Pudong" took in October 1999. In March 2008, the second terminal was completed. The marine theme was preserved in the design of this building. From a distance it resembles a seagull that spreads its wings.

Characteristics of the hub

Today, Pudong Airport (Shanghai) took all international flights from Hongqiao, except in Haneda (Tokyo) and Gimpo (Seoul). Here, too, liners arriving from Macau and Hong Kong (PRC) land. Despite the fact that Pudong consists of only two terminals (the construction of the third is not yet completed), it is the largest airport in China by passenger traffic and exceeds even Beijing Capital by this parameter.

Now it serves sixty million travelers a year. With the construction of the third terminal and two runways, this figure should increase to 100 million. Pudong consider carriers such as China Esther Airlines, Air China, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines to be their home haven. This hub is the sixth in the world for congestion and the twenty-ninth - for international passenger transportation.

Aerial harbor scheme

At the moment, Pudong Airport (Shanghai) consists of two terminals. They stand at a fairly large distance from each other. Between them, from six in the morning until midnight, a free shuttle bus runs at intervals of ten minutes. Passengers like that in any of the terminals "Puduna" the traveler will find everything you need. Baggage can be handed over for storage in cells. Judging by the opinions of people, there is a possibility to have a snack in one of the restaurant yards, exchange money in the bank branches, skimp in the duty-free shops.

If a simple waiting room does not suit you, then near the airport there are hotels of different star. To get a refund of VAT from a one-time purchase for an amount not less than five hundred yuan, you need to apply to customs (in the first terminal gate 10, and in the second - 25). With the documents issued there, then you need to go to the international departures area and find the "Tax Free" point there.

How to get from Shanghai to Pudong Airport?

If you travel with a lot of luggage and do not want to fool yourself with metro schemes, it's better to call a taxi. Judging by the reviews of passengers, this service in Shanghai is more expensive than in other Chinese cities. The trip can cost one hundred and fifty yuan a day, and more than thirty dollars - at night. Experienced travelers advise to beware of private traders who can rip off the triple price. In addition, they will drive you around the city for a long time.

Testimonials of tourists testify to the following fact: if you leave the hotel, it is better to ask to call a taxi with a counter at the reception desk. Drivers often do not understand English. Therefore, if you want to get to Pudong Airport (Shanghai), and not somewhere else, you need to learn the words "Pudong Goji Jichang".

The most economical variant of transport in the air harbor is the metro. The green branch (the second) connects two Shanghai airports. So you can easily get from Hongqiao to Pudong and back. You can also take the bus from Nanjin Road, People's Square to Jin An Temple. But there is a risk of being late for a plane due to traffic jams.

How to get to the city from Pudong Airport?

The center of Shanghai, tourists say, is located more than thirty kilometers from the air harbor. The fastest way to overcome this distance is the "Maglev" train. He travels at a speed of 350 to 430 kilometers per hour. The train arrives in Shanghai in seven minutes and twenty seconds. But this is, rather, a tourist attraction. It is worth such a pleasure of fifty yuan, about eight dollars (fare in an ordinary subway $ 0.5-3).

In addition, Maglev comes not to the very center of Shanghai, but to the subway station "Lun Yan Lu" - the same green branch. It is not difficult to navigate in the terminals and find the exits to the high-speed train or subway - everywhere there are English-speaking pointers with clear pictures. Tickets are sold in vending machines. They also have the option to switch to English.